How will Brexit affect the north’s economy? That’s easy – it’ll be very good for us. Figures from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs released in January last year showed that in 2014 the north had a £239 million trade surplus with the EU – that is, we were exporting far more than we imported.
But whoa. There’s been fresh figures released, which show that actually, far from having had a trade surplus of £239 million with the EU, we actually import £2 billion more than we export.
Of course, statistics are slippery things that can be used to argue black is white, but this latest set of figures has disturbed those who should know. Stephen Kelly of Manufacturing NI:
“We don’t have the scale to be able to build cars, home appliances, depend on importing fuel for vehicles, heating homes, steel and other raw materials which allow our firms to create products for markets at home and abroad… These balance of trade figures show how dependent we are on imports from the EU for supplying everyday items and the materials we need to service our businesses.”
Which puts Brexiteering unionists in general and the DUP in particular in a tight corner. They’ve decided to go with Brexit and make Britain Great again. The majority of the people here think Remain makes more sense, but now the UK population in general have voted for Brexit, the DUP think it would anti-democratic to start arguing we should Remain, given that the UK overall was firmly for Brexit. (You’ll no doubt have noticed how this line is in sharp contrast with the Covenant and 1912, when unionists declared that what they wanted was what mattered, not the majority of the people in the UK.)
But the DUP said they wanted Brexit, and like a dog chasing a bus, now they’ve got it, they’ll have to find some way of coping with it. To date, this seems to amount to putting their fingers in their ears and going “Nya, nya, nya-ya – can’t hear you, can’t hear you!”
Which would be grand, if the rest of didn’t have to be involved with them in the sickening drop off the EU cliff. The DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson keeps saying, when being interviewed about the Downing Street discussions, that they’ll be good for all the UK.
Now why does that set me thinking about the man who fell from the 20-storey building and was heard to cry, as he passed the eighth level: “Everything’s fine so far!”
Well Mr C, as I started to read your little commentary I wondered when we d get to some version of..”the dreary steeples…”…didn’t have to wait long before allusions to 1912(!) covenants…(LOL)…I agree with the thrust of what’s being said….but it’s 2017….time to look forward.not back to coin a phrase….fat chance…: )
Or is it that you didnt enjoy the reality of what was being said Eamon? Is it not a sensible approach to take a minute and think on the realities of what “Brexit” means for us here in the north of Ireland? And if the past does in fact have any purpose, should it not be for us to remember it and perhaps even learn from it…..
Erm, the whole post is about the future – Brexit and after. There was one line, in parentheses, about 1912. And yet you zoned in one that one line – like a moth to a flame. You even agreed in your post that it was just a passing reference (an allusion). Deery me.
That’s Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to you Jude! Saints preserve us, that’s all I can say.
Ye see yon birkie, ca’d a lord,
Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that;
Tho’ hundreds worship at his word,
He’s but a coof for a’ that.
And that’s what a Scottish Presbyterian Rabbie Burns thought of the appellation ‘sir’!
We don’t know how brexit will affect our economy. Due to our history we have one of the most complex political dichotomies in the world today. The pursuit of political power takes precedence over any real economic benefit or concern for the citizen. I know of many political leaders, and political parties, that have been followed blindly by their devotees and been lead off the edge of a cliff.
But can think of no party or leader, that has lead their devotees to the economic land of milk and honey. And always remember: even intelligent people believe stupid things.
Economic reality exists in west Belfast today one of the most deprived areas in Europe. I doubt very much their situation changing, brexit or no.
“But the DUP said they wanted Brexit, and like a dog chasing a bus, now they’ve got it, they’ll have to find some way of coping with it. To date, this seems to amount to putting their fingers in their ears and going “Nya, nya, nya-ya – can’t hear you, can’t hear you!”
It is lines like these that keep me reading your blog Jude. Very funny indeed.
I’ll tell you in 10 years Jude how BREXIT panned out. Until then anyone who says they know what’s going to happen might as well say they got the answer from their crystal ball or Tarot cards.
Jude, good you took up the point about the 1912 covenant. Unionists done everything to protect the economy then. Many of my neighbours people around me in Monaghan signed that covenant. It was the economy of the ulster & Belfast (being miles ahead of Dublin), that they wanted to protect so much (it wasn’t really about loyalty to the king that time, all though my local neighbours still like a wee walk about Drum village every year..).
then we had the Belfast boycott (as a result of the biggots in the ship yard in Belfast) , I know everything in Monaghan in 1912 came on the train from Belfast)..
Oh how things have changed. We have an economy in the South roaring ahead and the unionists dont want to part of it. (or doing everything to make it hard for themselves).
Loyalty to what ? some aul biddy in a blue dress costing tax payers millions to keep her and her husband alive (past their date).
Brexit, its a riculaous situation for the North. Embarrassing for really. Let the DUP make a hames of things.
Their mighty empire finished 70 years ago. Did no one tell the DUP? They have some neck begging for 2 Billion. the cheek of them.
Point of Order, Point of Order they shouted, in the confines of their beloved Palace of chinless wonders. Hilarious, made my day!
Hooray ! There is to be a rally on Friday night against the flying of flags in south Belfast. I will be there.